State parks in Southeast Nebraska have recently undergone a series of upgrades and renovations aimed at providing visitors with a better day and camping experience.
As per a report, the upgrades, which cost over $1.3 million, include improvements to infrastructure, facilities, and accessibility, making the parks more weather-resistant and accessible.
In this story, we take a closer look at the notable upgrades at Indian Cave State Park, Rock Creek Station State Historical Park and Recreation Area, Pawnee State Recreation Area, and other state recreation areas in the region.
Indian Cave State Park is one of the state parks that has undergone significant renovations. In addition to reopening the Indian Cave boardwalk, which was closed for over three years after mudslides destroyed the previous boardwalk in 2019, the park’s St. Deroin pedestrian bridge has been replaced, and handrails have been added.
This was necessary because frequent washouts of the St. Deroin bridge from heavy rains caused continual erosion of the area. A newly installed culvert has also been added to prevent erosion and allow more consistent access to the park’s living history activities.
The Hackberry Hollow shower house at Indian Cave State Park has also undergone extensive restorations. The renovations, which will be completed by summer, include new flooring, showers, toilets, sinks, roofing, siding, laundry facilities, and more. These renovations will make the park more accessible and weather-resistant, according to park officials.
Rock Creek Station State Historical Park and Recreation Area, located southeast of Fairbury, has also undergone renovations to improve visitors’ camping experience.
Erosion along the Oregon Trail prompted bridge repairs and bank stabilization, as the banks and bridge over Rock Creek were sloughing, making them unstable for visitors and potentially dangerous. The repairs have now been completed, and the historical park is also planning an upgrade to the current electrical campground to power larger campers, including 50-, 30- and 20-amp service.
Pawnee State Recreation Area, located west of Lincoln, has undergone upgrades to its marina, which is shared in part with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln rowing club. The marina has been upgraded with new restrooms, utilities, offices, and a conference room, and the rowing club uses half of the building for boat storage, meetings, and trainings. Work continues on the electrical service at the campgrounds throughout the area, with 28 sites in Area No. 3 being completed and the rest to be finished by summer.
Other state recreation areas in the region have also undergone upgrades, including replacing aging vault toilets with ADA-compliant facilities at Alexandria, Stagecoach, Branched Oak, and Riverview Marina state recreation areas.
The Conestoga and Bluestem state recreation areas plan to add electrical service to campsites and build shower houses, while campers at Branched Oak State Recreation Area will enjoy electrical upgrades at Areas 1 and 4, where 50-, 30- and 20-amp services have been installed. Electrical expansion for the Area 11 campground is still in progress.
The recent upgrades and renovations at state parks in Southeast Nebraska offer visitors a better and more enjoyable camping experience. The improvements to infrastructure, facilities, and accessibility make the parks more weather-resistant and accessible, and the upgrades provide a learning opportunity for private campground owners and operators in the nearby area.
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a first-time visitor, these state parks are better equipped to provide a memorable and enjoyable outdoor experience.
Have you checked out the new hiking trails at the upgraded state parks in Southeast Nebraska? They’re perfect for exploring the beautiful natural surroundings. Don’t forget to enjoy the enhanced picnic areas and recreational facilities for an even better camping experience!